The rose is seen as a symbol of love and peace in many countries. The Americans may be the biggest fans of the flower.

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose the floral emblem of the United States. Reagan wrote in Proclamation No. 5574: "More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity…The American people have long held a special place in their hearts for roses."

In fact, even the garden bordering the Oval Office and West Wing of the White House was named "White House Rose Garden." The rose served as the primary flowering plant since the garden's completion. The first president of the U.S., George Washington, used to breed roses and named one species after his mother. 

Apart from a symbol of the nation, roses of different kinds are honored as the state flower by five states in the U.S. Roses grow in all 50 states in the country. It is everywhere in American art, music, literature, pop culture, and daily life. People send each other roses to express love, gratitude, friendship, goodwill and blessing. Many cities and towns hold rose festivals every year, crowning the prettiest girl the "rose queen." Portland in the state of Oregon and Pasadena in California are known as the "City of Roses" for their annual rose festival and parade. 

The Americans are so fond of the rose, and the rose is eternally linked to this country. The country has roses named "America," "American Beauty" and "Miss All-American Beauty."

(Cover image via VCG)

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